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One parent’s real guide for parenting teenagers: Christina Botto |
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Christina Botto has studied troubled teens for more than a decade in order to develop parenting strategies that work. She shares these strategies in her book “Help Me With My Teenager! A Step-by-step Guide for Parents that Works” It all began with her trying to help her own teenage daughter with her personal issues. She didn’t stop there. She became a well-known mediator for parent and teenage relationships.
 Her advice begins with the idea that teenagers today have changed a lot since just twenty years ago. She focuses on making sure that the parent should understand how motivations may have changed since then. “That’s why a depth of understanding is essential - once you understand where your teen is coming from and why they do what they do, it becomes much easier to relate to them- and they to you.”
“My parenting strategies are based on the principle that parents can be in control without being controlling, I can show you how to get your teenager to talk to you; how to get your teen to listen to you and your advice; how to boost your teen's self confidence and make him or her less susceptible to peer pressure, and how to act and react in every day situations. I also am available to help you with individual issues you are struggling with, online as well as offline,” says Christina Botto.
She goes on to explain the effects of teenage peer pressure. “Your teenager faces several areas of peer pressure during his or her high school years. Those years are very competitive and where your teenager stands in terms of popularity is very important. To be considered a 'loser' is one of the biggest fears. To avoid this label, some teens try to look tough, rebellious and not controlled by their parents. Smoking and drinking are the easiest ways to declare their independence.”
“Those same pressures face first year college students, along with learning how to live everyday life and increasing amounts of school work. Sometimes students will find unhealthy or dangerous ways to relax and take their minds off of school. My methods help build trust between teenagers and their parents so that teens really open up and also listen to what their parents have to say. Ultimately, parents can really help their teens successfully navigate through these confusing and exciting years.”
The teenage issues that Christina tackles include: teen Internet use and hazards, MySpace, peer pressure, cigarettes, drugs, sex, alcohol, eating disorders, depression and the first year at college.
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